7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave.; $21 and up; csphilharmonic.org or 575-9632

Ryan Adams did it with Taylor Swift, Dylan with Sinatra, and now the Colorado Springs Philharmonic turns its hand to that other sincerest form of flattery, artistic reinterpretation.

“Country Legends” celebrates the genre with symphonic renditions of hits from the catalogs of Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Willie Nelson and Hank Williams, among other classic – and a few more modern – recording greats.

“We’ve very carefully selected the songs, taking the most iconic ones because we want them to be recognizable staples,” said Patrick Thomas, a Nashville-based country musician and vocalist and one of two guest artists with the show.

The performance, by the region’s only professional orchestra, presents a musical highlight reel and “chronological journey through country music” in the latter half of the 20th century, Thomas said.

“There’s an element of it that’s ad-libbed, but the songs are consistent. Hank Williams’ ‘Hey, Good Lookin” kicks off the whole show, and we go through Dolly Parton and do some Johnny Cash and end up with Carrie Underwood, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill,” he said. “We don’t go too far into contemporary country, and we’re not going to make Garth Brooks rock ‘n’ roll. We stay as true to genre as possible, as a symphony orchestra.”

Thomas said the show aims to appeal to fans of traditional symphony as well as those of old school country, which is something of a fine line to dance. Such genre-blending – and bending – showcases have been a hit with today’s audiences, though, he added.

“It’s really just a continuation of a trend we’re seeing in the pop symphony circles,” Thomas said. “If you go in expecting Mahler, you’re going to be disappointed. If people go in with the right expectations – knowing they’ve got people who love country music who are going to do country music with a fantastic symphony – then they always really enjoy it.”

Click here for a full calendar of music, art and other entertainment around Colorado Springs.

Stephanie Earls, The Gazette, 636-0364, stephanie.earls@gazettedev.gazette.com